The 2026 Jeep Wrangler has been redesigned to address a safety issue that’s been plaguing the current generation Wrangler since it was launched in 2018.
In two previous IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) testing, the JL Wrangler has tipped over onto its passenger side over during the driver-side small overlap crash test, which simulates a 40 mph head-on crash where 25% of the vehicle’s right front corner is impacted.
The result earned the Wrangler a Marginal score on the test, while it had top Good scores in the other crashworthiness evaluations.
Jeep updated the Wrangler’s frame for 2026 to address the issue and it remained upright during a new IIHS test to earn an Acceptable rating.
According to Jeep, “the frame rail reinforcement acts as a structural enabler to support an enhanced impact strategy for this test mode. It acts as a deflector when the wheel and tire are engaged in this particular crash mode.”
The update also applies to the Jeep Gladiator pickup, which shares its front structure with the Wrangler and also now has an Acceptable score. The changes were put into effect late last year and apply to Wranglers and Gladiators built after October.
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The 2026 Wrangler and Gladiator also received another significant update, but it’s not a structural one that affects their crash test ratings. Both now come equipped with a new door hinge design that doesn’t use screws and allows the doors to be removed without tools.
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